Camp packing list

You all think I'm nuts to travel the way we do, but I'll tell you someone who's even MORE brave than I am (or more nuts, depending upon how you look at it): my sister in law. And I'm really proud of her! :) This summer she'll pack up with FIVE kids ages 4-13 and trek via America's highways from California to North Dakota. She has a great plan that includes a bit of dude ranching along the way, some camping, and a family reunion at her final destination.

For her, and anyone else interested, I'm posting this packing list. I may have forgotten something here, but these are the things we typically take with us. There may be additional items that you'll want to bring to serve your personal or family needs on your own adventures.

Ice Chest:
Though you want to keep this secured and away from passengers in case of an accident, it should be accessible. We put ours at the back door so we can open it at any stop and grab sandwich makings, fruit, a cold drink or other snacks.

Top o' the heap (for easy access during travel and light enough not to kill anyone in case of an accident):
( ) Good sense of humor
( ) sleeping bags
( ) extra blankets
( ) pillows (don't forget those extra special "lovies" some kids - and adults - need to get to sleep peacefully)
( ) coats, jackets

Tucked low in the pile, but not with the food:
( ) camp stove
( ) cooking fuel or canisters that work with your stove
( ) charcoal
( ) lighter fluid for charcoal (if needed)
( ) hammer (for driving in tent stakes, if nothing else)
( ) fire extinguisher
( ) flashlights (it's nice to have one for each child, too)
( ) water (even if you're staying in an organized campground, it's good to have some water with you just in case their system is out of whack)
( ) shovel

The Kitchen Box:
( ) folding saw (much safer than ax or hatchet)
( ) matches
( ) extra batteries for flashlights
( ) first-aid kit
( ) pots/pans
( ) tongs
( ) metal spatula
( ) sharp knife
( ) can opener
( ) dish towel/hot mit
( ) marshmallow skewers
( ) paper or washable plates
( ) eating utensils
( ) cups or mugs (thick enough or with handles to protect fingers from hot chocolate or coffee)
( ) zip-closed plastic bags of various sizes
( ) aluminum foil
( ) napkins
( ) paper towels (we use these as napkins)
( ) something to use as a cutting board (I usually use my paper plates 'til I rip through them)
( ) measuring cups
( ) measuring spoons
( ) mixing bowl (or use your pot if it's large enough)
( ) rope (for hanging clothes out to dry, or tying up anything else you might need to along the way)
( ) clothes pins (would be nice, too, though we've never remembered these)
( ) plastic washtub (or use the big mixing bowl or your pots)
( ) dish soap
( ) scrubbing sponge
( ) coffee pot (if needed)
( ) garbage bags

The Pantry Box:
Check your menu shopping list. Anything that doesn't need to be refrigerated can go here.
( ) Cereal
( ) Oatmeal/Mush
( ) Bread
( ) Unopened nut butter
( ) unopened jams
( ) canned foods
( ) S'mores makings (marshmallows, graham crackers and chocolate bars)
( ) coffee/tea/hot chocolate/hot apple cider
( ) crackers/chips
( ) unopened salsa
( ) cookies
( ) spices
( ) cooking oil/spray
( ) Anything Else you need to make the meals you've pre-planned for this trip

Livingroom pile (squeeze between everything else if you don't have room for another box...or box it):
( ) Tent WITH RAINFLY
( ) mattresses (inflatable or otherwise)
( ) chairs
( ) table (optional)
( ) extra tarp (with rope, stakes and poles to support it)
( ) games (simple board games with large pieces that won't blow away in the wind)
( ) toys (Keep this pile very small. Kids really don't need a lot of toys in camp. After all, the best toys are already at camp: rocks to stack and throw, sticks for building, leaves for weaving, water and fresh air.)

Clothes list:
( ) coats (warm & water repellent, too)
( ) hats
( ) mittens (optional, but highly suggested)
( ) hiking boots
( ) water shoes
( ) comfy shoes for easy walking (museums, camp, whathaveyou)
( ) undies
( ) short-sleeved shirts
( ) long-sleeved shirts
( ) shorts
( ) long pants
( ) swim suit/trunks
( ) diapers (as needed)
( ) towels (1/camper)
( ) washcloths (1/camper)
( ) pajamas

Bathroom bag:
( ) Toilet Paper
( ) Toothpaste
( ) Toothbrushes
( ) floss
( ) lip balm
( ) Hand soap
( ) Shampoo
( ) other personal favorite toiletries (feminine needs, birth control method, baby wipes)
( ) ibuprofen
( ) thermometer

Front seat:
( ) maps
( ) guidebooks
( ) pens (including hilighters)
( ) snack bag
( ) tunes
( ) books on tape/iPod
( ) bug repellent
( ) sun hats
( ) sunscreen

Other optional items to consider:
( ) Addresses of friends and family (so you can send postcards along the way)
( ) Post card postage stamps (so you don't have to hunt them down along the way)
( ) Books for recreational reading and relaxation
( ) Fishing gear
( ) Water toys (float tubes, inflatable rafts, etc.)
( ) bicycles or scooters
( ) guitar or other camp-friendly instruments
( ) Screen room (to keep out flying pests and bloodsuckers during mealtimes, at least)
( ) Shower Shoes
( ) Trinkets or coins from the Tooth Fairy (just in case)
( ) glow sticks
( ) pocket knife

Electronics (this list is certainly not all inclusive, but here's what we're likely to take on this LONG trip):
( ) Camera (if digital, extra memory cards if needed; if you still have a film camera, bring lots o' film)
( ) Laptop (for downloading pix from camera if you don't have enough memory cards or want to send notes home along the way)
( ) GPS receiver
( ) Battery charger (s)
( ) MP3 player, iPod, whathaveyou
( ) Power converter (for laptop, battery charger, iPod, etc.)
( ) cell phone charger
( ) Any extra batteries your equipment may require


Best wishes on your family adventures! :)